ProGro BIO to pursue U.S. EPA approval for organic biocontrol product targeting plant fungal pathogens, nematodes and foliar insects

ProGro BIO, a leader in microbial-based agricultural solutions, has announced plans to seek U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval for a new suite of organic, all-natural biocontrol products. The proposed formulations will be designed to target and control crop-damaging soil and foliar fungal pathogens, parasitic nematodes, and foliar insects - some of the most persistent threats to global crop production.

ProGro BIO's envisioned biocontrol formulations are grounded in years of R&D focused on harnessing microbial combinations that can naturally suppress pests and pathogens through their metabolic by-products. "Our research has revealed promising modes of action driven by secondary metabolites—particularly polypeptides and polyphenols—produced by certain microbial blends," said Dr. Robert Bruck, Chief Scientist at ProGro BIO. "These compounds, naturally secreted during microbial metabolic activity, have demonstrated strong potential in field trials to disrupt the lifecyles and reproductive cycles of damaging soil and foliar pathogens, nematodes, and insects."

This announcement builds on the success of Rhizol, ProGro BIO's flagship product, launched two years ago. Rhizol, one of the most concentrated and effective microbial soil inoculants on the market, was certified organic by OMRI in late 2024. Its fully soluble dry formulation, containing 35 microbial isolates, is particularly well-suited for large-scale agricultural use. Extensive field trials conducted in 2023 and 2024—spanning tens of thousands of acres and involving hundreds of growers—demonstrated Rhizol's ability to promote root development, boost biomass, improve nutrient uptake, and significantly increase yields across a wide range of crops.

"Over the past two years, our conversations with farmers across the country have revealed growing frustration with the overreliance on conventional pesticides and their declining effectiveness," said Blake Young, CEO of ProGro BIO. "There's a noticeable shift toward more sustainable and targeted approaches. Biocontrols—natural, less toxic, and more precise—present a strong alternative. Unlike synthetic, broad-spectrum chemicals, these solutions are safer for non-target species like birds, pollinators, and mammals."

Young continued, "With our planned expansion of the ProGro BIO microbial product line, we're proud to advance innovative, environmentally responsible tools that better align with the changing needs of modern growers."